Ultrasonic flaw detector device

Abstract

An ultrasonic flaw detector device including axial and circumferential fixed tracks located in a space defined between a pressure vessel of a nuclear reactor and a heat insulating wall surrounding the vessel and arranged axially and circumferentially respectively of the pressure vessel of the nuclear reactor. A rotary track is located at a junction of the axial fixed track and the circumferential fixed track and moved in rotary movement by a chain and has its angle of rotation restricted by a pair of stoppers. A carrier member supporting an ultrasonic probe is moved on the tracks to effect ultrasonic flaw detection to detect any flow that might be present in the pressure vessel. To transfer the carrier member from the axial fixed track to the circumferential fixed track, the carrier member is first transferred from the axial fixed track to the rotatable track, and after the rotary track is rotated, the carrier member is transferred from the rotatable track to the circumferential fixed track.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In an ultrasonic flaw detector device of the type having: at least one first fixed track located outside a vessel;   at least one second fixed track located outside said vessel and arranged in a direction which intersects said first fixed track; and   a carrier member supporting ultrasonic flaw detector means for detecting any flaw that might be present in said vessel and movable on each of said tracks;   the improvement comprising at least one rotary track located at a junction of said first fixed track and said second fixed track for enabling said carrier member to be transferred between said first and second tracks; and   means for moving said rotatable track in rotary movement between positions that are respectively aligned with the first and second fixed tracks.   
     
     
       2. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second fixed tracks and said rotary track are disposed in positions substantially equally spaced apart from the surface of said vessel. 
     
     
       3. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first fixed track is disposed axially of said vessel and said second fixed track is disposed circumferentially of said vessel. 
     
     
       4. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said first and second fixed tracks and said rotary track are located in a space defined between said vessel and a heat insulating wall surrounding said vessel. 
     
     
       5. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising means for restricting the angle of rotation of said rotary track. 
     
     
       6. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising means for detecting on which of said fixed tracks said movable member is positioned. 
     
     
       7. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second fixed tracks and said rotatable track are located in a space defined by said vessel and a heat insulating wall surrounding said vessel. 
     
     
       8. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said carrier member is positioned between said vessel and said tracks. 
     
     
       9. In an ultrasonic flaw detector device of the type having: at least one first fixed track located outside a vessel;   at least one second fixed track located outside said vessel and arranged in a direction which intersects said first fixed track; and   a carrier member supporting ultrasonic flaw detector means for detecting any flaw that might be present in said vessel and movable on each of said tracks;   the improvement comprising at least one rotary track located at a junction of said first fixed track and said second fixed track for enabling said carrier member to be transferred between said first and second fixed tracks;   means for rotating said rotatable track between positions in alignment with said first and second fixed tracks, respectively;   first and second rotary members mounted on said carrier member and maintained in contact with said tracks for moving said carrier member; and   control means operative, when transfer of said carrier member from each of said fixed tracks to said rotary track is carried out, to bring said first rotary member out of contact with the fixed track into contact with said rotary track and to bring said second rotary member in contact with the fixed track from contact therewith.   
     
     
       10. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first and second fixed tracks and said movable track and disposed in positions substantially equally spaced apart from the surface of said vessel. 
     
     
       11. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first fixed track is disposed axially of said vessel and said second fixed track is disposed circumferentially of said vessel. 
     
     
       12. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first and second fixed tracks and said rotary track are located in a space defined between said vessel and a heat insulating wall surrounding said vessel. 
     
     
       13. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said carrier member is positioned between said vessel and said tracks. 
     
     
       14. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in any one of claims 9-12, wherein said first and second rotary members comprise pinions adapted to mesh with racks each supported on one of said tracks. 
     
     
       15. In an ultrasonic flaw detector device of the type having: at least one first fixed track located in a space defined by a nuclear reactor vessel and a heat insulting wall surrounding said nuclear reactor vessel;   at least one second fixed track located in said space and extending in a direction intersecting said first fixed track; and   a carrier member supporting ultrasonic flaw detector means and movable on each of said tracks;   the improvement comprising at least one rotary track located in a junction of said first fixed track and said second fixed track for enabling transferrence of said carrier member between said first and second fixed track; and   means for rotating said rotary track between positions in respective alignment with said first and second fixed tracks.   
     
     
       16. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 15, wherein said first and second fixed tracks are located in positions substantially equally spaced apart from the surface of said vessel. 
     
     
       17. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said first fixed track is disposed axially of said vessel and said second fixed track is disposed circumferentially of said vessel. 
     
     
       18. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 17, wherein said carrier member is positioned between said vessel and said tracks. 
     
     
       19. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in any one of claims 15-17, further comprising a first rotary member and a second rotary member supported on said carrier member for contacting said tracks and moving said carrier member, and control means supported on said carrier member operative, when transfer of said carrier member from each of said fixed tracks to said rotary track is carried out, to bring said first rotary member out of contact with the fixed track into contact with said rotary track and to bring said secondary rotary member in contact with said fixed track out of contact therewith. 
     
     
       20. A ultrasonic flaw detector device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said first rotary member and said second rotary member comprise pinions adapted to mesh with racks each supported on one of said tracks.